Home|Sports|UB hosts first ever cross country meet this weekendSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailSeptember 28, 2022 183 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

University of The Bahamas (UB) Mingoes Athletics is set to host the first UB cross country meet this coming weekend, starting and ending at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre.

The meet will include course races between one to four kilometers.

The open division will encompass the four-kilometer course through the sports center. The under 17-division will feature a three-kilometer course. The under-15 and under-13 athletes will tackle a two-kilometer course and the under-11 athletes will run a one-kilometer course.

University of The Bahamas Athletics Director Kimberley Rolle said she is excited about the meet that is expected to become an annual event.

“We are well known in the community for what we do in track and field and a part of the athletic agenda is to expand our cross country element,” she said. “I think it is important that we display at the university level what we have to some of the recruits that we have been able to attract and this will also give us a great way to see what’s out there in terms of cross country talent.”

Rolle added that it is important to promote cross country running in The Bahamas.

“Everyone is so connected to track and field but you rarely hear anything about cross country,” she said. “I thought it was important when Head Coach Ednal Rolle expressed an interest in starting something along the cross country line that can make it big in the community. We will do it well so that we can set the bar for others to follow. We’re hoping that as a result of what we do there are more cross country meets out there.”

Head Coach Rolle said he’s excited for the meet to start as it’s the first of its kind for the university.

“The course is a very challenging course through the sports center. We are keeping everything in one area so that coaches can be on the course and cheer the athletes on,” he said. “We want this to be a fun-filled event along with it being a competitive one as we look to invite colleges and universities in the future.”

The meet starts at 7:30 a.m. this Saturday at Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.

https://thenassauguardian.com/ub-hosts-first-ever-cross-country-meet-this-weekend/

 Home|Sports|Youth flag football teams perform admirably in FloridaSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailSeptember 28, 2022 179 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Bahamas Youth Flag Football League (BYFFL) competed in the Flag Football World Championship Tour’s Orlando Major Qualifier Tournament in Orlando, Florida, over the weekend, and the teams performed admirably.

The BYFFL took three teams to the tournament, competing in the 11-and-Under (11U), 13-and-Under (13U) and 17-and-Under (17U) divisions.

The 11U team had a winless tournament record of 0-3, but the other two teams were able to record wins and advance in tournament play.

The 13U team had a rough start in the tournament, but were able to rally and were crowned the champions of the 13U division. They defeated the Spring Hill All Stars out of Spring Hill, Florida, 20-13, in the championship game of that division.

The 17U team finished a perfect 2-0 in their first round of play, and earned the second seed after the preliminary round of play. They advanced to the semifinals. According to reports, a number of injuries plagued this team and they had only five healthy players in the semifinal game. As a result, the 17U team lost, 19-12, to the West Boynton Saints, out of Boynton Beach, Florida.

https://thenassauguardian.com/youth-flag-football-teams-perform-admirably-in-florida/

Chisholm Jr gives update on injury

Miami Marlins’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

As of Friday, September 23, 2022

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#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#Great Britain baseball has an opportunity to field its most talented roster of all time when it participates in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

#Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr confirmed his plans to return to the international stage and join Team Great Britain for the second time in his career next March when the best national programmes compete in the fifth edition of the event.

#The Miami Marlins All- Star infielder addressed future national team prospects and his injury status when he joined the Bally Sports broadcast team as the Marlins hosted the Chicago Cubs Wednesday night at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida.

#“It’s going to be sick for me,” Chisholm said, “because you’re out there and you never really get a chance to ever play with anybody from your hometown or even family members at that. I’m about to get to experience it all.”

#Chisholm was one of nine Bahamians on the roster for Great Britain in the 2017 WBC Qualifiers in Brooklyn, New York.

#He had his best game of the qualifier when he finished 3-5, drove in an RBI, scored a run and stole two bases in a 14-0 win over Pakistan. Great Britain eventually suffered a 9-1 loss to Israel in the qualifying game.

#Great Britain recently qualified for the WBC, for the first time in programme history, with its undefeated performance at last week’s qualifier in Regensburg, Germany.

#The tournament will be hosted March 8-21 across several venues. Pool A will compete at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium in Taichung, Taiwan, Pool B and tournament quarterfinals will take place at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, Pool C at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, and finally Pool D, quarterfinals, semifinals and championship will take place at Chisholm’s home stadium – loanDepot Park.

#Great Britain will compete in Pool A against Chinese Taipei, Netherlands, Cuba and Italy.

#After a three-year gap between the first two installments of the tournament, plans were made for the World Baseball Classic to be repeated every four years following the 2009 event. The third installment of the Classic was held in 2013, and the fourth was held in 2017. The fifth, originally scheduled for 2021, was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

#The tournament is being expanded from 16 to 20 national teams, with all teams that participated in the 2017 edition automatically qualifying, plus four additional spots.

#Sixteen teams had already secured a berth in the 2021 WBC – Australia, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Korea, Mexico, Puerto Rico, United States and Venezuela.

#Great Britain and the Czech Republic earned two of the most recent tournament berths following their success at the Pool A qualifier in Germany.

#The final two teams in the field will be the winners out of the Pool B qualifier, September 30 to October 5 in Panama City.

#Chisholm’s last appearance on the field in a Marlins uniform was June 28. He originally suffered the back injury early in the season on a slide and eventually re-aggravated the injury in late June, which forced him out of the lineup.

#Due to a back strain, Chisholm has been on the injured list since June 29. He underwent a CT scan on July 21 that revealed a stress fracture in his lower back. The Marlins officially ruled him out of a return for the remainder of the season. Chisholm also revealed that he played this season with a torn meniscus which he suffered prior to the season.

#MLB.com reported that Marlins manager Don Mattingly and general manager Kim Ng announced that Chisholm Jr would not return from the injured list for the remainder of the 2022 campaign. He recently underwent surgery to repair the torn meniscus but has already said that he is walking under his own power without the use of crutches.

#“We went and got an MRI. It came back that I tore my meniscus. I asked the doctor, ‘Hey, can I play this season? Because I feel like I’m really gonna tear it up this season. So can I play?’ And he was like, ‘You can but you’re gonna be dealing with a lot of swelling every day and all that stuff.’ I was like, ‘I’ll just take care of that and that’d be fine.’ And going on, I ended up playing the whole season and just planned to get the surgery after the season,” Chisholm said.

#“I went through a lot of swelling and a lot of changing my mind in the middle of stolen bases, kind of slide in different ways. Most of the times I got thrown out was because of my knee and how I was getting into the bag.”

#Chisholm is the first-ever Bahamian-born MLB All-Star.

#Through 60 games he had a .254 average with 14 home runs, 54 hits, 45 RBI, 12 stolen bases, and scored 39 runs.

#“We could probably push Jazz to be able to come back and DH or something. I think the risk/reward on that — he has a stress fracture in his back. It’s something you could say, ‘Well, it’s healed, but is it all the way?’ It just doesn’t seem to be worth it,” Mattingly told MLB.com.

#“I think Jazz would like to play, he would like to have played. I think the organisation basically made that decision for him, that we were going to just let this thing go, keep strengthening all year long, so we know going into the winter that he’s healthy, he’s ready, he’s doing everything, he feels great. So again, I think an organisational decision.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/sep/23/jazz-says-hell-suit-great-britain/?news

As of Monday, September 26, 2022

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#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#NBA training camps are set to tip off all across cities in the United States and the closest franchise to The Bahamas is set to host its camp in New Providence for the third time.

#The Miami Heat’s training camp will open tomorrow at the Baha Mar resort and continue through October 1.

#Presented by Baptist Health, the team will host two-a-day practice sessions and conclude with a practice session open to invited guests and local student athletes.

#“We are honoured to be chosen as the host destination for The Miami HEAT 2022 Training Camp and thrilled to be entering a multi-year partnership with the three-time NBA champions,” said Graeme Davis, president of Baha Mar.

#“A quick flight from Miami, Baha Mar is the leading Caribbean destination for world-class athletes and sporting events. We look forward to welcoming the team for a week of training, coupled with the opportunity to explore the resort’s wide array of amenities, experiences, and world-class restaurants.”

#Baha Mar has hosted several NBA franchises in recent years, including the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves.

#Media availability will take place following the first daily practice session only, with a viewing time updated each day.

#The Heat first hosted a training camp in The Bahamas in 2013 when they were led by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. They returned in 2016 with a core group led by Hassan Whiteside and Goran Dragic.

#Team captain and Miami native, Udonis Haslem, will become the only member of the Heat’s roster to participate in all three Bahamas training camps.

#The veteran forward said he considers himself an “honorary Bahamian.”

#“I enjoy it here. I enjoy the people. I enjoy the culture, the food. Everybody’s nice, the weather is great. There are a lot of Miami Heat fans here. It’s just like being home,” he said at the 2016 event, “vacation here all the time. I’m like an honorary Bahamian.”

#Haslem returns to the Heat for his 20th and final NBA season after three titles with the franchise.

#The previous two editions were hosted at the Atlantis resort and now the venue shifts to Baha Mar for 2022.

#Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said the franchise continues to return to The Bahamas because of its positive experiences.

#“We love it here,” Spoelstra said.

#“Our last experience here was terrific. We love how private it was. It’s a perfect setting for our guys in between the practices just to have a very serene atmosphere but also incredible hospitality. The guys really enjoy it. There are great people here. We always see smiles everywhere you go. It makes the work that much easier.”

#The Heat will host 20 players at this year’s training camp.

#Outside of training camps, Heat players have made several highly publicised trips to The Bahamas, highlighted by Kyle Lowry hosting a “pre-playoff” bonding session and Jimmy Butler’s viral workout videos at local locations such as the AF Adderley and CI Gibson gymnasiums.

#The Heat opens their preseason against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 4 and the regular season October 19 against the Chicago Bulls.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/sep/26/miami-heat-training-camp-baha-mar-opens-tuesday/?news

FATHER and son Brandon Johnson Sr and Jr pose with brother and uncle Taureano Johnson.

As of Monday, September 26, 2022

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SHOWN, from left to right, are runner-up Chris Larimore and champion Michael Stubbs with their awards.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#THE inaugural Frederick Sturrup Boxing Show on Saturday night saw a brief relief of Meacher ‘Major Pain’ Major, a full recovery of Tyrone Oliver and the emergence of some bright young stars, led by Maleko Davis.

#The show, hosted by Major Pain Boxing Club at the National Boxing Gymnasium, was designed to honour Sturrup for his longevity as an administrator in the sport and to showcase some of the local amateur talent in the country.

#Major, a former amateur and professional champion, also took the opportunity to display some of his past skills in the ring in a three-round exhibition bout with Anthony “Psycho’ Woods, while Oliver connected with Ronald Johnson in another exhibition.

#Back for the first time in the ring in three and-a-half years since he moved to Buffalo, New York, to enjoy his retirement, Major said he got a good return to the ring as Woods greeted him with a right to the head that rocked him early in the first round.

#“That was what I needed. After that punch, my instincts started to kick in. Is this an exhibition or a fight,” Major said. “I was just happy that it was an exhibition because Psycho always brings that energy. He’s always in the gym training. That’s why I chose him because he’s always going to entertain the fans.”

#Woods, 35, said he stays ready for whenever he gets the call to get back in the ring.

#“I wasn’t tired, but I tried to come out early and take it to him because I knew Meacher still had it in him,” Woods said. “I came to fight, but I knew I was going to need all of my energy to be in the fight. It was a good one.”

#The show was a dual purpose for the 39-year-old Major, who has put his name in the hat for the presidency of the Bahamas Amateur Boxing Federation whenever the elections take place this year. He said his goal was to provide an opportunity to help revive the sport and, at the same time, honour one of the stalwarts in Sturrup, who has been a big supporter of him and a number of boxers throughout their careers.

#“I appreciate the honour. I think Meacher Major and his associates have done a wonderful job for me,” said Sturrup, a renowned journalist now operating out of Grand Bahama. “It’s been a very long journey for me from 1968 to now.”

#“We started this amateur boxing programme in 1968 with seven guys. The thrust behind it all was Bert Perry and Charlie Major Sr. Unfortunately, only myself and Amos Ferguson out of the group are alive, so it’s very nostalgic for me.”

#Sturrup, who also now serves as the chairman of the Bahamas Boxing Commission, said he’s still pleased to see people like Major, Reno Johnson, Vincent Strachan, Alvin Sargent and Pat ‘the Centreville Assassin’ Strachan still actively involved in the sport. “While I really appreciate this gesture, it’s always good when people compliment you, but it’s always equally important when you see the continuation of the sport and people who are still waiting to take boxing into the future.”

#After a two-year hiatus coming off a near life-ending stabbing injury, Oliver was listed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic as one of the top boxers to watch in the future.

#He said he was just delighted to be able to do what he loves doing and that is box.

#He put on an exhibition show against Ronald Johnson, but said it was all about displaying his talent once gain.

#“I didn’t know how my career would turn after the stabbing,” said Oliver, who is now working in Exuma. “It was a major turnaround and I think it was my faith in God that made the difference in me being out here again.”

#Maleko Davis, a 17-year-old student at the Bahamas Vocational and Technical Institute, was so impressive against Lavardo Collie of the South Side Boxing Club that he earned him the most valuable boxer of the show.

#He said his goal is to become the next best fighter to come out of Kemp Road after his idol Major.

#“I am trying to every day, so whoever comes in the ring, I am going to keep knocking them down,” said Davis, who remains undefeated at 15-0.

#“This was a tough competitor. I didn’t knock him down, but I am just waiting on the next fighter.”

#South Side Boxing Club’s Brandon Johnson Jr, the son of Brandon Johnson Sr and nephew of Taureano ‘Reno’ Johnson, was named the most Improved Boxer after he stopped Bimini’s Aladdin Ellis in the first round.

#“It was a very wonderful opportunity to step into the ring. There’s a lot of things I want to show the Bahamian people,” said the 14-year-old light heavyweight who is in the ninth grade at CV Bethel Senior High.

#“Hopefully one day I can turn pro and represent the Bahamas and show them that Warriors come from the Bahamas.

#“It wasn’t really a challenge for me. I appreciate my daddy and my coaches and everybody who came out and supported me and even those people who didn’t support me. The one person who made this possible was God and so I want to thank my daddy, Brandon Johnson Sr for his support.”

#Michael Stubbs, an 18-year-old graduate from CV Bethel who is also from South Side Boxing Club, made a successful debut with his win over Chris Larimore from Major Pain Boxing Club. Stubbs said he only accepted the challenge in a two-day notice.

#“I figured I could have done better, but next time I will be much more prepared,” said Stubbs. “I have to work on everything, so I’m going back into the gym and get better. I could have finished the fight in the first round. I am happy that I won.”

#Also, John Saint Surin of Major Pain shocked Eric Williams of After Shock Boxing Club in an thrilling heavyweight bout to end the night.

#Major thanked former boxer Alpachino Allen and Kato Ferguson, another outstanding former amateur/pro fighter, for organising the show and keeping his Major Pain Boxing Club alive in his absence.

#Ferguson also honoured his mother on her birthday Saturday night.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/sep/26/young-stars-emerge-inaugural-frederick-sturrup-box/?news

As of Monday, September 26, 2022

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#ACE pitcher Thomas Davis liked what he saw from his Sigma Blue Marlins as they swept aside the Atlantis Titans in two straight games to advance to the New Providence Softball Association men’s championship series.

#Thomas, pitching a two-hit, six strike out performance on the mound, helped the Marlins wrap up their best-of-three series on Saturday night at the Banker’s Field in the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex with a 10-3 abbreviated five-inning affair

#The win came after the Marlins nipped the Titans 3-2 in the opener of the series on Thursday night.

#“We were a little sluggish in the first game hitting wise, but we wanted to come out tonight hitting the ball behind me on the mound,” said Thomas, who also helped his own cause by going 1-for-2 with two runs scored.

#The Marlins are now moving on to the best-of-five championship series against the winner of the pennant winning C&S Hitmen and the Chances Mighty Mitts.

#The Hitmen took game one of the series on Friday with 12-9 slugfest. Game two will be played on Thursday night.

#“I’m looking forward to it,” said Thomas about the possibility of playing the Hitmen, the winners of the last championship series played in the NPSA prior to COVID-19, which disrupted the past two seasons. “We have a different team and another different name, so we expect to be in a dog fight with them.”

#Shortstop Austin Hanna enjoyed a 2-for-4 night at the plate with a pair of runs batted in (RBI) and scored as many runs himself to earn the most valuable player award of the game over left fielder Lamar Watkins, who was 2-for-3 with three RBI and a run scored.

#Centre fielder Angelo Watson also had a good outing. In fact, it was a perfect 3-for-3 with a RBI and a run scored.

#Third baseman Lavaughn Ferguson was 2-for-3 with a RBI and run scored and catcher Garfield Bethel also came home twice.

#The Marlins got three runs in the second, highlighted by a two-run double from Watkins – three in the third and four in the fourth, sparked by a RBI double from Hanna.

#Cardinal Gilbert, starting at the designated player, got a lead off single in the bottom of the second and eventually scored on shortstop Nathan ‘Gee’ Bethel’s run-producing single for Atlantis’ first run. The Titans came back in the fifth and with one out, Bethel was hit by pitch and caught a ride home on first baseman Anthony Moss’ RBI triple. Moss then scored their final run on a wild pitch.

#Angelo Dillet started for Atlantis and gave up seven hits and gave up eight runs before Gilbert relieved him in the fourth for three hits with strike out.

#Hitmen 12,

#Mighty Mitts 9

#Second baseman Philip Johnson had a grand slam home run in the bottom of the seventh for a C&S walk-off victory in the opener of their series against Chances on Friday night.

#Johnson was named the MVP of the game, while right fielder Edron Knowles also came up big with a 3-for-4 night with four RBI and a run scored.

#Shortstop Chedi Ferguson had a two-run double in the second and he scored two runs to pace the Mighty Mitts, who also got a 2-for-4 outing with a RBI and two runs scored from left field Juniel Bain. While Martin Burrows Jr got the win on the mound, Kayle Carey was tagged with the loss.

#Marlins 3, Titans 2

#Third baseman Levaughn Ferguson and centre fielder Kristen Collie scored the tying and winning runs respectively in the bottom of the seventh to seal the win for Cybertech. Centre fielder Lamar Watkins got on a one-out error and scored on left fielder Angelo Watson’s two-out RBI single in the first inning.

#Eugene Pratt fired a one-hitter with eight strike outs for the win. Cardinal Gilbert got the loss on six hits with four strike outs.

#Atlantis’ two runs came in the top of the sixth from centre fielder Anthony Fowler and left fielder Jeniel King.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/sep/26/marlins-sweep-titans-make-it-finals/?news

As of Monday, September 26, 2022

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#ACE pitcher Thomas Davis liked what he saw from his Sigma Blue Marlins as they swept aside the Atlantis Titans in two straight games to advance to the New Providence Softball Association men’s championship series.

#Thomas, pitching a two-hit, six strike out performance on the mound, helped the Marlins wrap up their best-of-three series on Saturday night at the Banker’s Field in the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex with a 10-3 abbreviated five-inning affair

#The win came after the Marlins nipped the Titans 3-2 in the opener of the series on Thursday night.

#“We were a little sluggish in the first game hitting wise, but we wanted to come out tonight hitting the ball behind me on the mound,” said Thomas, who also helped his own cause by going 1-for-2 with two runs scored.

#The Marlins are now moving on to the best-of-five championship series against the winner of the pennant winning C&S Hitmen and the Chances Mighty Mitts.

#The Hitmen took game one of the series on Friday with 12-9 slugfest. Game two will be played on Thursday night.

#“I’m looking forward to it,” said Thomas about the possibility of playing the Hitmen, the winners of the last championship series played in the NPSA prior to COVID-19, which disrupted the past two seasons. “We have a different team and another different name, so we expect to be in a dog fight with them.”

#Shortstop Austin Hanna enjoyed a 2-for-4 night at the plate with a pair of runs batted in (RBI) and scored as many runs himself to earn the most valuable player award of the game over left fielder Lamar Watkins, who was 2-for-3 with three RBI and a run scored.

#Centre fielder Angelo Watson also had a good outing. In fact, it was a perfect 3-for-3 with a RBI and a run scored.

#Third baseman Lavaughn Ferguson was 2-for-3 with a RBI and run scored and catcher Garfield Bethel also came home twice.

#The Marlins got three runs in the second, highlighted by a two-run double from Watkins – three in the third and four in the fourth, sparked by a RBI double from Hanna.

#Cardinal Gilbert, starting at the designated player, got a lead off single in the bottom of the second and eventually scored on shortstop Nathan ‘Gee’ Bethel’s run-producing single for Atlantis’ first run. The Titans came back in the fifth and with one out, Bethel was hit by pitch and caught a ride home on first baseman Anthony Moss’ RBI triple. Moss then scored their final run on a wild pitch.

#Angelo Dillet started for Atlantis and gave up seven hits and gave up eight runs before Gilbert relieved him in the fourth for three hits with strike out.

#Hitmen 12,

#Mighty Mitts 9

#Second baseman Philip Johnson had a grand slam home run in the bottom of the seventh for a C&S walk-off victory in the opener of their series against Chances on Friday night.

#Johnson was named the MVP of the game, while right fielder Edron Knowles also came up big with a 3-for-4 night with four RBI and a run scored.

#Shortstop Chedi Ferguson had a two-run double in the second and he scored two runs to pace the Mighty Mitts, who also got a 2-for-4 outing with a RBI and two runs scored from left field Juniel Bain. While Martin Burrows Jr got the win on the mound, Kayle Carey was tagged with the loss.

#Marlins 3, Titans 2

#Third baseman Levaughn Ferguson and centre fielder Kristen Collie scored the tying and winning runs respectively in the bottom of the seventh to seal the win for Cybertech. Centre fielder Lamar Watkins got on a one-out error and scored on left fielder Angelo Watson’s two-out RBI single in the first inning.

#Eugene Pratt fired a one-hitter with eight strike outs for the win. Cardinal Gilbert got the loss on six hits with four strike outs.

#Atlantis’ two runs came in the top of the sixth from centre fielder Anthony Fowler and left fielder Jeniel King.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/sep/26/marlins-sweep-titans-make-it-finals/?news

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Jonquel Jones attempts to pass the ball as South Korea’s Kang Leeseul, left, and Yoon Yebin, right, block during their game at the women’s Basketball World Cup in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

As of Monday, September 26, 2022

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#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#Jonquel Jones and her Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH) side remain winless thus far at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.

#Despite the team’s struggles, Jones has been a leader across several offensive categories as competition continues among the top 12 women’s national teams in the world at the tournament in Sydney, Australia.

#Jones has averaged 15.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game – all team leads – through four contests. She opened the tournament with 15 points, eight rebounds and four assists in an 82-58 loss to Puerto Rico.

#In game two, Jones posted 17 points, nine rebounds and two assists in a 98-51 loss to China.

#In a 99-66 loss to Korea, she finished just shy of a double double once again with 21 points, nine rebounds and two assists. She had a tournament low eight points and seven rebounds in last night’s 85-55 loss to Belgium.

#BIH will conclude play in Group A against the USA on Tuesday.

#At the end of the Group Phase, the top four teams of each group will advance to the Final Phase. A draw will determine the pairings of the Quarter-Finals. The two best-ranked teams of each group (group A and group B) will be drawn against the two teams ranked third and fourth of the other group.

#After Jones led the BIH programme’s historic first ever appearance at the event, FIBA’s analysis of the first matches of the group stage lists the team’s as one of the tournament’s surprises thus far.

#“Perhaps you can file Bosnia and Herzegovina as the biggest disappointment by far. What was a fairytale first-ever appearance at the event was supposed to be followed by at least two wins – against Puerto Rico and then Korea. But that fairytale morphed into an intense nightmare with not just two losses to their group rivals, but really poor losses,” the analysis said. “What we learned is that you can have one of the female game’s best ballers in your team like Jonquel Jones, but it means nothing if you don’t play defence and miss wide open layups constantly when opponents are double-teaming her.”

#Jones delivered a series of spectacular performances en route to leading BIH to World Cup 2022 qualification.

#She led BIH to a 1-1 record and was named TISSOT MVP and a member of the All-Tournament team at the World Cup Qualifying Tournament last February in Osaka, Japan.

#She averaged 25.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game while shooting 52 percent from the field and 44 percent from three.

#Jones also led BIH to an historic fifth-place finish at Women’s EuroBasket 2021 and continued that dominance at the Eurobasket 2023 Qualifiers.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/sep/26/jones-and-bih-look-get-win-column/?news

CHARLOTTE Hornets centre Kai Jones, of The Bahamas, at the NBA basketball team’s media day in Charlotte, N.C., yesterday. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

As of Tuesday, September 27, 2022

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#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#THE Charlotte Hornets have a stacked depth chart in the frontcourt headed into the 2022-23 campaign but Kai Jones looks to use his versatility to take advantage of every opportunity in year two.

#Jones called his rookie season “a beautiful experience” at Hornets media day but looks forward to making a bigger impact this season.

#“With my athleticism, I can have a two-way impact,” he said. “Lob threat, blocking shots, just being versatile.”

#New Hornets head coach Steve Clifford called Jones “an exceptional athlete” and “phenomenal worker” when asked about his possible role in the frontcourt.

#“Kai [Jones] to me, right now, is more of a centre. He can play some four. Even for our league he’s an exceptional athlete and physical. How quickly he puts himself in a place where he can legitimately play night in and night out in NBA games is just purpose of play,” Clifford said.

#“For all young players, especially inside guys, that’s the hardest thing. Playing to your strengths, helping your teammates play to their strengths, so we’ll see.”

#The Hornets return veteran centre Mason Plumlee, third year player Nick Richards and rookie Mark Williams all at the five spot.

#Jones came into training camp sporting the blue hair he had this summer when he made his debut with The Bahamas’ senior men’s national team.

#He said his hairstyle is inspired by several things, including his favourite anime.

#“The blue hair is for a lot of reasons, in The Bahamas our water is blue like this, the Charlotte Hornets’ colour is blue and I love anime so Super Saiyan god Goku has blue hair, all of my anime fans out there know what I’m talking about so all of those reasons.”

#Jones finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds against Venezuela and followed with 16 points and six rebounds against Argentina in the latest window of FIBA World Cup Americas Qualifiers.

#At the NBA level with the Hornets, Jones appeared in 21 NBA games this past season but played sparingly in few moments off the bench.

#He excelled at the G-League level on assignment with the Greensboro Swarm averaging 16.5 points on 61.4 percent shooting from the field – 32 percent from 3-point range – 9.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.1 blocks in 32 total G League games. He also posted 15 total double-doubles. The no.19 pick in the 2021 draft, Jones and the other members of the Hornets rookie class played sparingly as the Hornets chased a spot in the NBA playoffs. Jones highlighted his G-League campaign with a career high 30 points with nine rebounds in a 139-119 win over the Long Island Nets at the Greensboro Coliseum in North Carolina on March 27.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/sep/27/jones-my-athleticism-i-can-have-two-way-impact/?news

As of Tuesday, September 27, 2022

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PACERS’ Buddy Hield. (AP)

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#CHAVANO “Buddy” Hield was the focus of trade rumours for months, but after his first offseason as a member of the Indiana Pacers, the veteran guard is optimistic about the potential of his team’s young core for the 2022-23 campaign.

#Hield, one of just two players returning to the Pacers roster at least 29-years-old, said the young group is already showing signs of bonding and familiarity.

#“It’s energetic, a lot of the guys are new and are learning how to be a part of the NBA life and how we go about it everyday. It’s a fun group. Everybody is just hands on each and everyday,” he said.

#“The young atmosphere keeps you healthy. Running around with young guys, I love the competitive spirit they bring everyday, it’s a grind, it’s a challenge everyday, but once you’re mentally prepared and locked in and prepare the summer to be around young athletic talent, there’s nothing to worry about.”

#Hield was traded to the Pacers last February and in 26 games with the club, he averaged 18.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. He shot 45 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range in just over 35 minutes per game.

#Prior to the trade, he averaged 14.4 points per game and made 182 three pointers, and was shooting a career-low 37 percent in 28 minutes per game with the Sacramento Kings.He averaged just 8.1 points in his final nine games with the Kings, but scored in double figures in 24 of 26 games with the Pacers.

#The young Pacers core is expected to be led by 22-year old point guard Tyrese Haliburton, 2021 lottery pick Chris Duarte and 2022 lottery pick Benedict Mathurin. “Everybody’s voice is needed. We just have to learn quickly, adapt, and when training camp comes get after it. We brought in a group of guys that are a great fit, have great personalities, when you understand and like each other, it’s easier to have a great vibes,” Hield said. “When guys bring in their egos and go about things in different ways it’s not a good vibe. I think the guys we have in the locker room are a good group of guys.”

#Already traded twice in his NBA career, Hield’s name was floated in trade rumours involving the Los Angeles Lakers. “It’s the business of basketball. No matter what happens I love playing basketball,” Hield said.

#“Once I have a job, and I’m able to play in this league for a long time it doesn’t matter where I go, I’m happy, I’m still here I’m just glad to play basketball at a high level with the best basketball players in the world.”

#In addition to his improved scoring numbers, Hield also reached his career high of nine assists on three separate occasions during his time in Indiana. He credited head coach Rick Carlisle’s free flowing offence.

#Hield’s 4.8 assists per game with the Pacers was an increase from 1.9 per game with the Kings. “Rick does a good job just letting me be myself and just letting me play freely and do random things but in accordance with his offence and control in the system. As a player, you want to be free and be myself but in the structure of his offence,” he said.

#“Rick’s offence allowed me to expand a little bit more. I was able to do more with the ball, be creative and play freely.”

#Over his six seasons in the NBA, Hield has missed only three games due to injury or illness and played in 81 games last season. His only missed game was due to logistical reasons following the trade to Indiana.

#“Thank God, number one, for blessing me to play at a high level. Working on my craft, staying in the weight room and doing everything I do to stay ready,” he said. “I got to put that on being a Bahamian too, there some durability in me coming from The Bahamas. I’m blessed and I thank God everyday for allowing me to play at a high level.”

#Hield said one of his main goals this offseason is to improve his three-point percentage. He ranked fourth this season in both three-point makes (262) and attempted (716).

#As a Pacer, Hield reached another career milestone as one of the NBA’s premier shooters. He moved into 50th place in career three-point field goals made when he surpassed 1,397 through his six-year career.

#Hield surpassed former Three Point contest champion Brent Barry and at the conclusion of the season, has made 1,417 three pointers. He now trails the Hawks’ Danilo Gallinari at no.49 on the all time list with 1,426.

#The Pacers will face the Charlotte Hornets in their preseason opener on October 5.

#Opening night of the regular season for the Pacers is October 19 at home against the Washington Wizards.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/sep/27/hield-optimistic-about-potential-pacers-young-core/?news